This is actually a pretty simple concept, but has huge implications. Say you are hungry and want to buy a burger and chips. R30 (about $5) is a reasonable price and you will probably buy it. If the burger and chips costs R300, you’ll laugh at the person trying to sell it to you. Because the meal isn’t worth that much to you.

The amount you pay for something reflects its worth to you. You might consider paying more for a meal if you are very hungry. And if you are on the verge of starvation, R300 would definitely be worth it.

Similarly, you are bought with a price. And that price reflects your worth. God wasn’t tricked into paying more for you than what you are worth. In fact the word righteousness means an exchange of equal value. The value of Jesus Christ’s blood and body reflects your value.

That brings up an interesting followup though. If God has infinitive value to spend then anything he spends will cost him nothing, zero, nada. But God’s sacrifice by dying as Jesus is clearly not portrayed as such.